SHADOW You’ve got to be fucking kidding me! “What do you mean we should inject the blood while he’s in wolf form?” Califf burst out in surprise. “That’s exactly what I said, Califf. That’s the only way to treat a sick wolf, and the result would be immediate.” “And it’s also dangerous, father.” I managed to make my mouth work from the shock. “I didn’t say it’s a walk in the park, my dear.” He checked his watch for the umpteenth time. “You should hurry. Tonight is a full moon.” “Shit.” “I’ll do it.” I turned to Everlee. “No way. He will knock you down.” “But, he will recognize me. I can talk to him. I’m his mate, Shadow.” “I hate to break it to you, Everlee, but he doesn’t know anyone anymore,” Zarah said. She dropped her gaze as if Zarah just guessed it right. “I can’t feel him when he’s in wolf form.” “Then we have to hurry.” I turned to Califf. “What’s in your head?” “We will knock him down again, but we have at least five seconds before he returns to himself.” “Yeah.
CALIFF I didn’t know what I was thinking. It just happened so fast. When Zack was pinned down, only one thing came into my mind— to save everyone before it was too late. I couldn’t afford to get him hurt and see the pain in my mate’s eyes as she watched her best friend suffer from a sick wolf bite or, worse, die. I couldn’t let them hurt or lose anyone anymore. I had enough pain. The wound was still fresh— it was too much. And I trusted them to do their part, and it worked. I would deal with Shadow’s anger later. What was important was that we got the job done— Calder got Sebastien’s blood, and hopefully, he’d healed. It had already been an hour. Calder was still knocked out, but he seemed okay. I had already worn clothes I grabbed from the cabinet. I stared at the two-way mirror, hoping someone was watching us, and I knew they were. “Can anyone hear me?” I gestured to turn on the mic because I was still blocking everyone, including Shadow. “Finally. You and I will have this t
SHADOW “You’re here to read the guilty verdict? Go ahead.” “Nice pitch. And you’re being dramatic.” I snorted as I joined him in his favorite spot that overlooked the vast land Night Stalker Pack owned. “I’m sorry I overstepped. I disrespected you and Alpha.” “You didn’t. You almost died, Zack. I wouldn’t even help if I were you, but you did it for Califf and, maybe, for me. I understand why you said what you wanted to say. Getting it out of your chest always makes you feel good after.” “Thanks.” “I despised her since I met her. That was what I felt. I was in a new environment, I didn’t know anyone, and everybody looked at me as if I was a villain, a bitch, a wretch, and treated me like dirt while fighting the mating pull. Still, it hurt a lot knowing my competition was someone like Everlee, beautiful, sophisticated, and rich. How could I compete with someone like her?” “You’re more beautiful than her if I were to consider. And you’re my Alpha’s one true mate. That’s your bigge
CALIFF She was like drugs. Addicting. I couldn’t quit. Her little stunt made me hard. Then she decided to walk away. Did she really think I would just let her go because she said so? She should know by now that I was a greedy asshole. “Shut up.” I smashed my mouth against hers, dominating her. I instantly felt home, her warmth, the sensation, and the softness of her lips. Every cell in my body tingled. My cock went steel-hard. No matter how much she tried pushing me away, I knew she couldn’t deny her desire to get fucked tonight. And she could just use her super-enhanced strength to slam me against the wall and escape the shower room. Instead, as if she couldn’t get enough of me, she gripped my hair tight, my scalp stung, and the pain sent a spark down my balls. A fresh load of adrenaline rocketed through me, lighting up the fire inside me. We may be both exhausted, but at least we slept satisfied. I moved my lips against hers and slid my tongue into her mouth, tasting her.
SHADOW The air suspended in my lungs as Calder’s wolf ran in our direction. I could not sense his anger or predatory tendency in his blue-gray eyes but excitement and contentment. One thing was for sure— he could be the Pathfinder. I saw his eyes glow yellow for a second. “Don’t shoot him!” I yelled at the guys when I felt their fear shifting in the air. Calder threw himself onto Califf and grumbled as if asking to be a pet. Then he licked Califf’s face. “You, mutt.” Califf pet the back of the black wolf’s ears, making it purr in satisfaction. He then licked him again, causing Califf to laugh. “Stop it. Only my mate is allowed to lick me. Get off of me, Calder.” Calder made a friendly growl. “You look great, Calder.” I petted his head. Before he could come close to me, Califf growled possessively. “Don’t ever fucking lick her, or you and I will have a problem.” “He has no idea how territorial an Alpha can be,” Kairo remarked. “Oh, he knows,” Tor replied. Calder went back to
CALIFF “Do I look okay?” Everlee looked at herself. We went for a quick shopping last night. Right now, she was wearing a blue dress. She always looked beautiful and sophisticated, and she shouldn’t have doubted herself over her sense of fashion. Mason had always dreamed big for his unica hija. That was why he approved of her relationship with me, but having lunch with the Lycan royalty and the King who saved her mate intimidated her or could be one of her dreams, and she wanted to look nice. “You look beautiful, babe,” Calder said, who wore a two-piece dark Italian suit. “So, are you guys ready?” My gorgeous mate just walked downstairs, which took my breath away. She chose a simple white midi dress, which never looked simple. It popped out the color of her hair and eyes with an irresistible sparkle. She complemented it with white shoes and a clutch. “Aren’t you gorgeous?” I kissed her forehead. “So do you, Alpha.” I wasn’t supposed to buy for myself, but they forced me to do s
CALIFF Sebastien hid his smile, but it was palpable in his eyes. “Boundaries, daughter.” “You didn’t just say that.” Shadow laughed softly. “I take it, it went well.” “Shut your grin off, darling.” I slightly nodded. “Your Majesty.” “We passed that formality, Califf.” He shook my hand and turned to my brother. “I heard you completed the transformation, and your wolf is healed.” “Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” Sebastien turned to Everlee. “Beta Everlee, I’m glad you both made it.” “I’m honored to be here, sir.” “Well, join me and have a seat.” He went to Zarah and put a hand on her back. “Can you stay for a while?” “Only for a couple of minutes, but I have to get back soon,” Zarah said. “So, my dear, when—” “Father, give my daughter a break. She’ll pop out babies if she’s ready,” Sebastien cut in. “Well, the pressure is on you, brother.” Calder leaned in. “You have no idea. Since day one, with no luck.” Calder chuckled. “Don’t pressure yourself. Just en
SHADOW The lunch went well. Zarah left home for a meeting with the High Priestess. The least I expected was to sit next to Everlee, let alone laugh with her, but in the shallow and ambitious woman I used to know, there was her sweet and thoughtful version. I saw beforehand how she took care of her mate. She was once Califf’s woman, so she should not be around me. I should despise her more for her father’s betrayal and marching to our compound to kill me, but that was in the past. She seemed to have grown so much. She wasn’t the bitch I used to know. In fact, watching her suffer before her mate hurt me as well. “Hey.” She stood at the door. “Thanks for this.” She looked fantastic in a new black party dress. “You’re welcome.” I coated my eyelashes. I’d watched a lot of tutorials but still couldn’t perfect it. It shouldn’t be complicated, but I still did a terrible job. “My father has a lot of money and doesn’t mind me spending a few dollars of his wealth.” “He seems a good father.